Menu

United we stand

OF late, the Pakistani military has been receiving deleterious flak of criticism from ‘friends and foes alike. The new themes are targeting the very Unity of Command, the fountain head of this great organization. Unfortunately sharing such ideas without appreciating the ground realities would take us nowhere. As many friends and foes in and out of Pakistan believe that Pakistani Military forms the Centre of Gravity of the nation, it may be pertinent to remind ourselves role of Centre of gravity in War or crises.
Military structures work through Unity of Command and Pakistan Army cadres (soldiers and officers) have always responded to the call of their senior officers without an iota of doubt. The glue that binds the entire Defence Forces of Pakistan is the inherent strength of this Centre of Gravity; and that is the strong bond of comradery called Unity of Command, something we know from our Islamic faith as well.
Coming back to the question of the state of war, this long war which was imposed on Pakistan has entered its second decade now.
We are fighting hidden enemies and fifth columnists; our citizens, defence institutions and installations have been directly and indirectly attacked, and the Pak Army, along with other services and ISI, has borne the brunt of this war and continues to do so. While military fights on the frontline, our civilian LEAs continue to shoulder the burden of security in urban areas, however shared responsibility of security does not absolve our civil LEAs to strengthen their institutions against terrorists’ attacks. Was Pakistan army or FC directly responsible to provide security to every nook and corner of Pakistan, certainly not? Recent Quetta carnage has displayed apathetic attitude by political leaders and leadership of civil LEAs in providing basic security to Police training college; should Pakarmy take blame?
The war seems to be leading to its logical conclusion, with the US packing up and retreating, India licking her wounds in Kashmir and the new horizons of opportunity opening up as the end game nears, Pakistan and its defence forces have to be punished for one reason: understanding the sinister designs of the US-India-Israel troika as well their tentacles within Pakistan and resolutely defending the country. Zarb e Azb is in the mopping up stage and all tacticians and strategists know that enemy can always sneak during mopping up stage, so, it will continue for some time.
The British and American leadership and the media did not ask for commissions to probe every failure on part of their commanders.If you look at the list of reverses suffered by the allied commanders between 1939 and 1944, you may be amazed at the patience and perseverance of their governments and people.Churchill called this period of the Battle of Britain as ‘Their Finest Hour and the entire British nation stood like a rock behind their military.
We should firmly believe that Pakistan defence forces and ISI are passing through their ‘Finest Hour (you may disagree), one wouldwould request all and sundry, including media critics, to read the SMS message from the soldiers and officers fighting on our frontlines and giving lives for this wonderful country.
The changing strategic environment also demands vigilance, on one side a super power is thinking of exit strategy from Afghanistan on her own terms, on the other sided Kashmiris are up in arms against Indian Occupation and a frustrated Modi openly threatens Pakistan due to the fact that his moves against Pakistan are being frustrated by Pakistan Defence Forces. Pakistani Defence Forces have to not only maintain stability at present but also war-game and plan for any scenarios that may unfold in near future, especially attempts by India and India apologist cabal within Pakistan.
Pakistan army stands united under its leadership and will continue to blunt the Kinetic and Non Kinetic efforts to create chaos in its rank and file, irrespective of who is behind this sinister campaign, our sworn enemies from the foreign lands or their surrogates and fifth columnist sympathizers operating from Pakistani soil.
— The author is Defence Analyst based in Lahore.